Countdown to the 2016 Worlds: Gabi Garcia returns to the Pyramid to feel the thrills of competing in the gi once again

A few days ago, Gabi Garcia published a mysterious Instagram post saying she was not done with gi competitions.

Alongside a picture with her in the gi with the medals she won at the Worlds, she wrote: “Fighting with the gi is still on my mind. The walk up to the mats for a black belt final is an indescribable feeling.”

What was a suggestion, became a reality today, when Garcia’s name appeared in the superheavy division of the 2016 Worlds. That’s her first appearance at the Worlds since 2013, when she won the open class but later had to forfeit the medal following a not-at-fault positive test for Clomiphene.

Even so, Gabi is still one of the most accomplished female black belts in history, with five world titles between 2010 and 2012, including two open class gold medals.

She talked about her decision to return to the mats despite being completely devoted to her MMA career. She fought twice for Rizin FF and currently has a 2-0 record.

“My phone is ringing nonstop. I also got a lot of messages from people excited with my return. I really wanted to compete at the Worlds, but I wanted to do it without the responsibility of having to win. I have already written my name in Worlds’ history when I won all the titles I could win. I come back to fight well and win the gold medal in my weight class [superheavy].”

Gabi Garcia

Regarding the open class, Gabi says she’s in, but with a slightly different mission.

“I am not aiming at the title. I want to help Andresa Correa, who is on fire this year. I want to beat somebody tough on the way and help her win the title. It’s not that I don’t want another absolute gold, but this is Andresa’s year. She won her weight class and the open class at the European, Pan and Brazilian Nationals. I have to wait the General Fabio Gurgel’s orders, but Private Gabi is ready for war.”

In closing, Gabi revealed the the reason that made her come back to the gi for the moment.

“To win or to loose is not the main thing now. I want to compete in the sport that I love. I want to be on the top and maybe reach another final, you never know. I am ready.”

The 2016 World Jiu-Jitsu championship is scheduled June 1-5, at the Long Beach Pyramid, in California.